Sunday, July 31, 2005
Nabolom Bakery Seeks Sponsors in Order to Stay In Business
Nabolom Bakery is one of the oldest collective businesses in Berkeley, and it will close on September 1st unless it can raise $50,000. Nabolom has supported progressive causes for years. Nabolom Bakers have distributed pastries at early morning blockades in Livermore, donated food for events ranging from Sparks Fly! to draft counselor trainings. The bakers have given thousands of
dollars worth of pastries to events from Sparks Fly! to draft counselor
trainings, have hosted an ISM-NorCal reportback, and they even hang community artists' work in the space, and have free WiFi. Over the years, Nabolom has provided decent jobs with maximum worker control over conditions
to dozens of activists in many political movements.
Financial mismanagement forced the bakery into debt about four years ago. When a former financial officer took over the operation, this person incurred some $40,000 in debts from penalties on back taxes. The bakery lost its major client, with Fellini’s, a restaurant on University Avenue. The bakery held several meetings last year to try to revive the business. In spite of staying open later and serving pizza, the bakery has not succeeded in attracting many new customers.
A Town Hall Meeting will be held on Monday, August 1st, from 7-9 p.m. at Nabolom (at 2708 Russell, just east of College) to discuss how the community can help save the bakery. Nabolom is looking for pledges to purchase $500 or $1000 sustainer certificates, which will entitle the bearers to 10% discounts
on all products, and make it possible for the bakery to survive. Nabolom is currently only accepting pledges; money will not be accepted until $50,000 in pledges has been collected by August 15. Read more | Berkeley Daily Planet Article
